My Teen Topix: 220 Fitness Celebrates Its First Anniversary by Allan Peach

Matteo Baker has had an outstanding career in the fitness industry. With over 16 years in management positions with Golds Gym, Powerhouse, and Equinox, Matteo has done it all, or so he thought. Then one day, while chatting with his close friend Wladimir Klitschko, the Ukrainian heavyweight boxer and longest reigning heavyweight champion of all time.a new spark was lit. Klitschiko suggested that Matteo should take the plunge, stop working for others and start his own gym empire. At first, Matteo thought his friend had taken a few too many punches, but then the idea started to jell. Matteo began to dream about bringing a first class gym to Santa Monica. He would mix old school gym techniques with an upscale modern environment to create a unique experience for the Westside fitness enthusiast.

220 Fitness

Matteo Baker's 220 Fitness Gym opened on Main Street in Santa Monica, CA in January of 2011. Opening any new business in the middle of a recession was risky, but Matteo brought his years of know-how to the project and equipped the facility with the best modern equipment and some of the savviest fitness trainers on the west side. The business soared. Celebrities including Don Cheadle, Rhada Mitchell, Oscar winner Mickey Rourke, and of course heavyweight champ Wladmir Klitschko flocked to 220 Fitness.

Fitness maven Matteo Baker

The latest equipment at 220 Fitness

One year later, on January 26, 2012 220 Fitness celebrated its first year anniversary and the fulfillment of Matteo's dream. It was birthday bash with movie stars, great food and drink, a fabulous DJ and an amazing rock band.

Jhe Nedd, 220 Wellness Manager, Evan Russo, trainer, David Olan, member,
and 220 trainers celebrate #1 second to none

Trainer Tiffany Savion

Trainer Gerald Edwards and Group X instructor Jessie Chauncey

Anthony Cooper (220 Sales), Henry Lau (220 Sales Manager),

and Gerald Edwards (220 Trainer)

220 Fitness Trainer Jason Pease and Dr. Po Leknickas of 220 Wellness
with date

Jason Pease and Gerald Edwards

Renee Mann

Gina Monteil

Gina Monteil 220 Membership advisor

and Jessie Chauncey Kangoo instructor

Gerald Edwards and friends

Jhe Nedd and Anthony Cooper

Actress Suzan Crowley attended, fresh from some rave reviews for her performance in the #1 box office hit, The Devil Inside. The amiable Brit actress was all smiles and laughs, a far cry from her role as Maria Rossi in the cinema verite shocker Devil. Carl Weathers of the Rocky franchise attended as did John Schneider, Smallville's Jonathan Kent aka Brainiac, and Emmy nominated Disney animator, Todd Waterman was seen schmoozing with peakPRgroup CEO Christine Peake.

Suzan Crowley, star of The Devil Inside and

The Draughtsman's Contract

Matteo Baker and Suzan Crowley

Smallville's Brainiac, John Schnieder

Christine Peake with actress Suzan Crowley

Matteo Baker, Christine Peake, Suzan Crowley and Justin Pease

Actress Suzan Crowley with Moofaces' Brandon Jay

Suzan Crowley with BillyBow and Kay Painter publishers of FitnessX

The Fish Co., My Teen Topix's favorite seafood restaurant provided the food, including a clam chowder to workout for. The liquid refreshments were supplied by Honest Ade, Powerade, smartwater, EmergenC, Fuse, Coca-Cola among others.

A delicious spread was supplied by The Fish Co.

smartwater supplied the water

Powerade quenched some thirsts

Brandon "DJ Noel 2033" Noel supplied the music mix upstairs, while later the Stevie Starlight band kept the party going with some great music on the parking lot turned dance floor.

DJ Noel 2033, prince of the platters, mixes it up

Stevie Starlight performs

Ian Stone on drums and Joe Sax on bass

Outside, the 220 Fitness members and guests listen to the band

Lucia Luise

CEO of the peakPRgroup, Christine Peake said, "this was a terrific turn out, we are so grateful for the members we have here at 220 Fitness and excited for all the new members who joined the gym tonight,"

Christine Peake, CEO of the peakPRgroup and

Heather Nesis 220 Fitness Consultant

peakPRgroup CEO Christine Peake looking fabulous after

putting the event together

This was not just a celebration, but also a chance to give back to the community. "I cannot believe we have made it one year," said CEO Matteo Baker, "well here we are! I am so very proud of what we have achieved here, I am also proud to give back to the community and the American Red Cross on this special night." 220 Fitness held a silent auction with items donated by 220 Fitness, Puma, celebrity chef Jule Ann Rhodes, Pasha Jewelry, Luxelab, and Palantino on Montana Ave. Proceeds of nearly $2000 from the auction went to The American Red Cross in partnership with the OneHope Foundation. One attendee who bid on a $500 gift card from Pasha Jewelry said that if she won, she would put the card toward a wedding ring for her husband. Who knows, maybe next year at this time, we'll be celebrating a wedding anniversary as well as 220 Fitness' second year in business.